The wages of not getting that protein in
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Mangopickle
Posts: 1,509 Member
I got my very first scalp burn at the Air show today. As many of you know I was very lackadaisical about my protein intake those first weeks after my November VSG. But since the middle of Dec I have been vigilant. Too late tho as I have lost about 3/4 of my incredibly thick hair. No more visors for me 'til it grows back....hopefully. Still it was wonderful to walk and stand for hours and never grow tired. It was 90 degrees but I was perfectly comfortable 
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As I have been looking at other friends diaries for inspiration and ideas I have noticed a high degree of WLS'rs who don't even come close to getting their protein in for the day. It's very concerning to me and I was just thinking about putting it out as a topic.
I have always kept my protein level at 80, take Iron, Vitamin D3, Calcium and a multi-vitamin and I still lost very long and thick strands of hair from just below the crown on the back of my head. I knew it was a possibility, but I thought since I was doing everything I'd been instructed to do and don't ever sleep on my back this wouldn't happen to me. BUT IT DID!!! It only happened really bad twice after about 3 months out. I didn't even feel it come out. After shampooing my hair during the rinsing when I moved my hands through my hair a whole thick and long bunch was in my hands. I was so unnerved that I for a split second I thought something was terribly wrong. Then I remembered the warning of this possible after affect.
Thankfully my hair is naturally curly and so it's not noticeable to anyone except myself and my sister-in-law who was a hair stylist for 20 years.
I've seen some posts where they say they can't get the protein in, but there are numerous choices during all of the food stages and I should know as I'm a very picky eater and I didn't have to look hard for high protein foods. I've also seen a lot of posts where they say their surgeon isn't concerned with their protein intake.0 -
I have had a really hard time getting all my protein in. I avg only about 60 from day to day. Lately though I have been hitting between 80 and 90. I'm not sure if it's because I am able to eat more or if I'm making better choices. I need to go back through my diary and review it for differences. But I am noticing some hair loss. Hoping it doesn't get too crazy.
I went hiking this weekend and realized once I got to the top of the hill that I was not winded at all. Such a weird feeling. Usually I wouldn't be able to walk about a hill like that without dying!!0 -
Mangopickle:
I do hope that your hair does grow back. I had the same problem and I was getting my protein in, found out my zinc was low and that contributed to my hair loss. I now take 25mg zinc 3x a week. Have you had your bloodwork done recently?0 -
Well kids...your hair falls out...really doesn't have anything to do with your protein intake...its an autoimmune response to surgery....as a hair designer of 27 years I have seen many peoples hair fall out after surgery and not weight loss surgery. Normal stomachs that eat just fine...good thing is it coms back usually. Biotin 5000mcg 2x a day helps it grow faster Hair loves fat...add some healthy fat to your diet like coconut oil..and when u can eat them easily nuts and avocado....but really if its coming out nothing is going to fix that from happening.
. However that being said you still need your protein for a million other reasons.....
As for getting your protein in....your shakes should have at least 25 to 30g protein in them and no more than 5 carbs and that's with liquid. There are great ways to get your protein in that seem less of a burden...I use my premier pre made protein drink as coffee creamer.....its also really nice in chai tea...use greek yogurt instead of milk with water if u use powdered protein that helps beef up your protein intake....u can blend canned chicken or tuna into creamed soup for protein esp in the first 2 months........there are a number of ways to do this. ..think outside the box...u can do this!0 -
I've heard the same thing - that it is really not a lot about our diets and more just a response to the surgery in general.
I also find it interesting that there are such wide variations in what people consider acceptable amounts of protein. I get about 60 g a day, am experiencing great loss and satisfaction, minimal hair loss (like I said, I don't think this has a lot to do w/ diet but throwing it in there), and I'm getting the protein, mostly, from real food. I'm trying to avoid supplements at this stage but sometimes a bar or shake is in order to get at least to 60. I'm eating about 500-600 calories a day. I can see my protein going up when my calories go up. I'm 5 months out.0 -
Oh yeah, and mangopickle, sorry about the burn! That stinks! But it sounds like you had a great time and reaped the benefits of your hard work in energy and fun. :-)0
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Cute hats for a while for you! Seriously though, sorry about the hair loss. I've noticed more of mine coming out myself, but that always happens to me in the summer as pony tails and wind from riding can be hard on the hair. Add the stress from surgery and washing it more due to work outs and summer... meh. Confession: I don't always finish logging on MFP for the day, particularly once I've figured out that I'll have met my protein count by the time I do dinner. I throw a scoop of chocolate protein powder in my coffee every morning. I never taste the protein. Just tastes like a mocha to me. One more supplement of some kind (Quest bar, protein Chai or decaf with chocolate protein powder) for an afternoon snack and with the other high protein choices in my diet I'm over 80g for the day. A single bottle of Isopure taken throughout the day is 42g. Pace yourself with that stuff as you can only absorb 25-30 g at one time. 1 oz of beef jerky has 7g, (and a fair amount of sodium). Plain old skim milk is a great source as well.
For those of you that say you "can't" get the protein in... Suck it up boys and girls! This is one of your supplements, like your vitamins. Consider it among one of your prescriptions because it IS. There are so many choices out there, from protein shooters, to protein pudding, brownies, shakes, bars etc. Unless you are just a few weeks out of surgery and your stomach is still swollen you should be hitting your Dr's protein goals! Get creative, do what you have to do, but DO IT! You've put an extreme amount of effort into this process of getting your health back. Don't let something so simple get in your way!0 -
I thinned originally from stress the year my dad died and my eldest daughter (age 19 at the time) ran away from home and had to be rescued from an abusive boyfriend all within a couple of months of each other. It never came back and then I thinned some more from the WLS. Now my surgeon told me it was because at 3 months out, while on vacation in Alaska, because I kept forgetting to eat, I wasn't getting enough of anything, especially protein. This time most of it has come back, but it's still thinner than before both episodes of thinning. Biotin really helped slow and stop the loss and I believe has contributed to the regrowth.
I've had a lot of surgeries through the years and never thinned from any of the others, so for me, I tend to believe it was what my surgeon said, lack of food, especially protein for a couple of weeks. Either way you go, it's not pleasant.0 -
I didn't have any hair loss but I have had several surgeries (once every year to every other year.) My doctor said that my body was so used to being upset that another surgery was no big deal to it. Like other people have posted, he told me that loosing my hair was a affect of stress on the body rather than nutrition.0
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I used to have very thick curly hair in my "youth". I noticed it starting to thin around my mid 20's and that is also when I was diagnosed with PCOS. Which I probably had for many years before getting it diagnosed. One of the symptoms if PCOS is thinning hair. Its thinned mostly on top and on the sides. I use a shampoo (Nioxin) to help keep what little I have left and am also watching my nutrition more. I am worried about losing even more after surgery and not having it come back.
I plan on taking extra biotin (I have a bottle that I misplaced when I moved). and have also been looking into the nutritional benefits of gelatin for both protein and for hair/nails/skin elasticity. Has anyone supplemented their diet with either gelatin powder or bone soup regularly? Has you noticed any difference?0 -
You told me about your Dad, but I'm real sorry about your daughter's troubles.0
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Good for you - I bet it felt great to not be winded. You have to be careful about too much protein as my surgeon told me your body won't know what to do with it and it can hinder your weight loss.0
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You tell them like it is bikrchk. . . . and you're right. I don't understand how some have such a hard time getting their protein when it's all over the place. I have a 30g/protein shake mix I have every day, but most of my other protein comes from foods that most people generally like. They should start checking labels and logging in everything in the a.m. and adjusting later in order to achieve their protein levels.0
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I've had 77 gms of protein in by noon today! my goalis 80-100 gms.0
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Oh yes, I get my vitamins and 5000 of biotin in every day even if I don't log them. All my multiple nutrition bloodwork panels are great and always have been. I am glad I don't have a vanity issue with the hair. I laugh about it but I know other surgery patients who worry. It is already coming back but honestly even if I went bald I would do it over again. I am glad that my nut hooked me up with MFP. Logging my food and tracking my protein has made this process so much easier. Aside from the hair you feel so much better and lose weight really well when you get your protein in. I remind myself when I have reached my calories for the day but I am on the lower end of protein intake that I made those choices, they are my responsibility, and I have to live with the results of those choices....so no whining! 0
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Mangopickle, when did your hair start falling out? You said in the beginning you weren't great about getting in your protein...but how much were you able to get in the beginning? Just trying to see if I had a similar start? I'm terrified to lose my hair.0
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Probably 20-40 the first 12 -14 days after my surgery In Nov. my hair didn't start falling out until April. I will say that at all of my support group meetings everyone's hair grew back.Mangopickle, when did your hair start falling out? You said in the beginning you weren't great about getting in your protein...but how much were you able to get in the beginning? Just trying to see if I had a similar start? I'm terrified to lose my hair.0 -
Mine thinned as I aged. I've got the Zinc and Biotin on order.
So been scouring the internet and there's plenty of evidence that surgery can cause the hair loss. I've had a lot of surgeries in my adult life, way more than the average bear, and haven't yet lost my hair. (smacks myself upside the head) Knock on wood, this won't be the first time it happens. Cause I just don't think I'm one of those gals who can wear a head scarf and pull it off, y'know?0 -
Bone broth is amazing for you and cheap to make ...I have it as my inbetween snack and I have started using it as a base for my green smoothies lol...instead of fruit I just use veg and bone broth...its lovely!0
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HARM0706, I am the one who has said my surgeon is not obsessed over the protein intake and he really is not. He feels that it is a western world (he is Indian) obsession and everyone who is sleeved does not suddenly have to start a high protein, low carb Atkins like diet. He is however very very strict about a balanced diet. I don't have potatoes, white rice and pasta as acceptable on my diet sheet, but few diets do. So he does not say have whatever carbs you like and he does not say that zero protein is needed,,,he is just clear that it needs to be balanced. My endocrinologist and nutritionist work closely with my surgeon and they are all more focused on Calories, Vit D and Calcium way more than high levels of protein. Am I losing my hair? Yes, it is thinning but I do not put that down to protein. There are many arguments for different diets, low fat, low carbs, low calorie. My diet is working for me. I am meeting my medical specialists expectations. I rarely hit 80 protein. India is full of Vegans and Vegetarians who are able to have this surgery and do very well and live very healthy lives. I promised him I would not obsess over protein and so I have to keep reminding myself not to. Typically in my diet I get anywhere from 30-70 but mostly around 40. If something changes and my medical specialists feel I need to change my protein intake, then I certainly will.0
